Abstract: The present invention comprises the steps of performing a reforming process on a surface of a low dielectric constant insulation film formed on a substrate which includes one of a porous low dielectric constant insulation film and a non-porous low dielectric constant insulation film and forming an insulation film as at least one of an etching mask and a Chemical Mechanical Polishing stopper (CMP stopper) on the reformed surface of the low dielectric constant insulation film. For example, plasma is radiated as a reforming process mentioned above, the surface roughness of a low dielectric insulation film is increased and, as a result, adhesion between the films and also between the inter-layer insulation film and other neighboring films can be improved with so-called “anchor effect”.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes the steps of forming a first insulation film on a substrate by a spin-on process, applying a curing process to the first insulation film at a temperature of 380-500° C. over a duration of 5-180 seconds, and forming a second insulation film on the first insulation film by a spin-on process.

Abstract: A pretreatment chamber 120 is disposed within a vacuum transfer chamber 102 of a processing apparatus 100. The pretreatment chamber 120 is equipped with an orienting mechanism 128 and a UV lamp 124. The orienting mechanism 128 orients a wafer W through rotation of a table 130, on which the wafer W is placed, and by use of an optical sensor 134. Synchronously with the orientation, the UV lamp 124 emits UV through a UV transmission window 126 fitted to a ceiling portion of the pretreatment chamber 120, to thereby irradiate the surface of the wafer W with UV. Thus adhering to the wafer W is removed. A processing gas supplied into the pretreatment chamber 120 is also irradiated with UV. Active atoms generated from the processing gas also contribute to removal of carbon. Since the pretreatment chamber 120 is formed within the vacuum transfer chamber 102, the footprint of the processing apparatus can be reduced.

Abstract: A single-substrate-processing CVD apparatus is used for forming a BST thin film on a semiconductor wafer while supplying a first process gas containing a mixture of Ba(thd)2 and Sr(thd)2, and a second process gas containing Ti(O-iPr)(thd)2 or Ti(thd)2. Precursors of Ba and Sr have lower activation energies and higher resistivities than precursors of Ti. The first and second process gases are supplied from a shower head which has a group of first spouting holes for spouting the first process gas and a group of second spouting holes for spouting the second process gas. The group of the second spouting holes are designed to have diameters gradually decreasing in radial directions outward from the center of a shower region, such that the second process gas is supplied at a spouting rate gradually decreasing in radial directions outward from the center.

Abstract: An insulating film consisting of first and second tantalum oxide layers is formed on a semiconductor wafer. First, an amorphous first layer is formed by CVD, and a reforming process for removing organic impurities contained in the first layer is carried out. Then, an amorphous second layer is formed by CVD on the first layer. Then, a reforming process for removing organic impurities contained in the second layer is carried out by supplying a process gas containing ozone into a process chamber while heating the wafer to a temperature lower than a crystallizing temperature over a certain period. Further, within the same process chamber, the wafer is successively heated to a second temperature higher than the crystallizing temperature, followed by cooling the wafer to a temperature lower than the crystallizing temperature so as to crystallize the first and second layers simultaneously.

Abstract: An insulating film consisting of first and second tantalum oxide layers is formed on a semiconductor wafer. First, an amorphous first layer is formed by CVD, and a reforming process for removing organic impurities contained in the first layer is carried out. Then, an amorphous second layer is formed by CVD on the first layer. Then, a reforming process for removing organic impurities contained in the second layer is carried out by supplying a process gas containing ozone into a process chamber while heating the wafer to a temperature lower than a crystallizing temperature over a certain period. Further, within the same process chamber, the wafer is successively heated to a second temperature higher than the crystallizing temperature, followed by cooling the wafer to a temperature lower than the crystallizing temperature so as to crystallize the first and second layers simultaneously.

Abstract: A film forming/modifying system includes a film forming apparatus which has an alcohol supply unit and forms a metal oxide film on a semiconductor wafer in a vacuum atmosphere in which a vaporized metal oxide film material and a vaporized alcohol exist, a film modifying apparatus which has a UV irradiation unit for irradiating a UV ray on ozone to generate active oxygen atoms, and modifies the metal oxide film by exposing the metal oxide film to the active oxygen atoms in a vacuum atmosphere, and a common transfer chamber commonly coupled to the film forming apparatus and the film modifying apparatus to transfer the target process object between the film forming apparatus and the film modifying apparatus while maintaining the vacuum state.

Abstract: A single-substrate-processing CVD apparatus is used for forming a BST thin film on a semiconductor wafer while supplying a first process gas containing a mixture of Ba(thd).sub.2 and Sr(thd).sub.2, and a second process gas containing Ti(O-iPr)(thd).sub.2 or Ti(thd).sub.2. Precursors of Ba and Sr have lower activation energies and higher resistivities than precursors of Ti. The first and second process gases are supplied from a shower head which has a group of first spouting holes for spouting the first process gas and a group of second spouting holes for spouting the second process gas. The group of the second spouting holes are designed to have diameters gradually decreasing in radial directions outward from the center of a shower region, such that the second process gas is supplied at a spouting rate gradually decreasing in radial directions outward from the center.

Abstract: A filter element for use in an oil filter is composed of main fibers of at least 5 .mu.m diameter and micro fibers of less than 5 .mu.m diameter. The micro fibers are filled in a density of 0.005 to 0.02 g/cm.sup.3. A slurry including the fibers is drawn into a suction unit through suction openings to form a molded body. The filter element is given a density gradient such that the micro fibers are denser in the inner periphery than in the outer periphery. Following the drawing step, the molded body together with the inner mold is removed for subsequent dehydration and heating. During those processes the inner mold is kept located within the molded body.